Question

Dr. John Paul Stapp was U.S. Air Force officer who studied the effects of extreme deceleration on the human body. On December 10, 1954, Stapp rode a rocket sled, accelerating from rest to a top speed of 282m/s (1015km/h) in 5.00s, and was brought jarringly back to rest in only 1.40s! Calculate the magnitude of his (a) acceleration as he sped up and (b) acceleration as he slowed down. Express each in multiples of g (9.80 m/s2) by taking its ratio to the acceleration of gravity.

Answer 1

acceleraions 5.76g and 20.55g

Step-by-step explanation:

This constant acceleration exercise can be solved using the kinematic equations in one dimension

Vf = Vo + a t

As part of the rest Vo = 0

a = Vf / t

a = 282/5

a = 56.4 m / s2

In relation to the acceleration of gravity

a ’= a / g = 56.4 / 9.8

a ’= 5.76g

To calculate the acceleration to stop we use the same formula

a2 = 282 / 1.40

a2 = 201.4 m / s2

This acceleration of gravity acceleration function is

a2 ’= 201.4 / 9.8

a2 ’= 20.55g